Westerly High School was quite the experience for me. As I have mentioned in a previous paper, I was extremely academically successful in high school. During the four years I attended, I was on high honor roll every semester, and I was inducted into two honor societies- the National Honor Society and the Rhode Island Honor Society. My teachers at Westerly High School knew my track record for academic success and challenged me accordingly.
To be honest, I was only involved in high school at the academic level. Of course I attended dances and football games, but due to the commitment I had to being an equestrian athlete, my only focus in high school was my education. My extra time was spent in the library, doing homework in order to free up my after school time for the barn. Most of my teachers understood that being an avid equestrian was my passion, so they usually were a bit flexible if I ever needed to miss a day of classes to compete. Even when I came into school with a neck brace, concussions, or a broken collarbone from various horse-related incidents, my teachers were understanding. Some even went as far as to poke a little fun at my current condition. Even though I was not involved as much in extracurricular activities, Westerly High School prepared me for college in many ways.
Although all of my teachers have played an important role in my preparation and success at the University of Rhode Island, one specific teacher still keeps in touch with me and supports me- as she has known me all my life. Mrs. Oliveira has known me since I was four years old because I attended preschool with her son, Graham. My sophomore year of high school, I had Mrs. Oliveira for honors English. For my senior year of high school, I ended up having Mrs. Oliveira for the whole year, as my teacher for College Writing. This class was actually a three credit course for URI, called WRT 104. I ended up entering URI with a 4.0 in the fall because she helped me discover my talent as a writer.
The way I see it, you will occasionally find the need to use math, science, or history in your life time. However, you will ALWAYS need to know how to write. When I entered the tenth grade, my writing skills were not as great as they could be. Mrs. Oliveira worked with me personally, in school and through emailing drafts, to improve my pieces. She helped me find interest in books I thought I would have no toleration for. By the time state testing occurred in the spring, I was prepared and rewarded with dramatically higher scores in the writing sections.
Senior year was a bit of a surprise for me when I had Mrs. Oliveira for my College Writing course. This class focused on more of the different styles of writing, rather than literature. As long as we stayed with the given style of writing, our papers could be on whatever topics we pleased. There, I was able to express myself in a safe environment, knowing that the teacher reading my work knew exactly who I was.
Not only did Mrs. Oliveira coach me through writing, she coached me through life. Senior year was a tough time for me, as I was getting ready to transition to college. It made me nervous and anxious, but I was able to confide to Mrs. Oliveira and she helped see me through it all. She even wrote me a wonderful recommendation for all of my college applications. Out of all the teachers and staff I have had at Westerly High School, Mrs. Oliveira is the only one who still keeps in touch with me. The day I was accepted to the University of Rhode Island, I tried to call her but she never answered. Luckily, she called me back, but had to leave me a message. This message is still saved on my phone three years later as a reminder that I always will have her behind me and supporting me.
Even though I did not have the typical high school experience, my high school experience was a critical part to who I am today as a young woman and a student.
Sammie Liguori
Westerly High School was quite the experience for me. As I have mentioned in a previous paper, I was extremely academically successful in high school. During the four years I attended, I was on high honor roll every semester, and I was inducted into two honor societies- the National Honor Society and the Rhode Island Honor Society. My teachers at Westerly High School knew my track record for academic success and challenged me accordingly.
To be honest, I was only involved in high school at the academic level. Of course I attended dances and football games, but due to the commitment I had to being an equestrian athlete, my only focus in high school was my education. My extra time was spent in the library, doing homework in order to free up my after school time for the barn. Most of my teachers understood that being an avid equestrian was my passion, so they usually were a bit flexible if I ever needed to miss a day of classes to compete. Even when I came into school with a neck brace, concussions, or a broken collarbone from various horse-related incidents, my teachers were understanding. Some even went as far as to poke a little fun at my current condition. Even though I was not involved as much in extracurricular activities, Westerly High School prepared me for college in many ways.
Although all of my teachers have played an important role in my preparation and success at the University of Rhode Island, one specific teacher still keeps in touch with me and supports me- as she has known me all my life. Mrs. Oliveira has known me since I was four years old because I attended preschool with her son, Graham. My sophomore year of high school, I had Mrs. Oliveira for honors English. For my senior year of high school, I ended up having Mrs. Oliveira for the whole year, as my teacher for College Writing. This class was actually a three credit course for URI, called WRT 104. I ended up entering URI with a 4.0 in the fall because she helped me discover my talent as a writer.
The way I see it, you will occasionally find the need to use math, science, or history in your life time. However, you will ALWAYS need to know how to write. When I entered the tenth grade, my writing skills were not as great as they could be. Mrs. Oliveira worked with me personally, in school and through emailing drafts, to improve my pieces. She helped me find interest in books I thought I would have no toleration for. By the time state testing occurred in the spring, I was prepared and rewarded with dramatically higher scores in the writing sections.
Senior year was a bit of a surprise for me when I had Mrs. Oliveira for my College Writing course. This class focused on more of the different styles of writing, rather than literature. As long as we stayed with the given style of writing, our papers could be on whatever topics we pleased. There, I was able to express myself in a safe environment, knowing that the teacher reading my work knew exactly who I was.
Not only did Mrs. Oliveira coach me through writing, she coached me through life. Senior year was a tough time for me, as I was getting ready to transition to college. It made me nervous and anxious, but I was able to confide to Mrs. Oliveira and she helped see me through it all. She even wrote me a wonderful recommendation for all of my college applications. Out of all the teachers and staff I have had at Westerly High School, Mrs. Oliveira is the only one who still keeps in touch with me. The day I was accepted to the University of Rhode Island, I tried to call her but she never answered. Luckily, she called me back, but had to leave me a message. This message is still saved on my phone three years later as a reminder that I always will have her behind me and supporting me.
Even though I did not have the typical high school experience, my high school experience was a critical part to who I am today as a young woman and a student.